Gum Disease: 5 Signs You Need to Know

People typically concentrate on how their attractive teeth will look to others when they smile and forget about the gums that are supporting their pearly whites. Remember that your teeth will not look beautiful if not for the gums holding them. Dental health is not all about the teeth, as the gums are also responsible for keeping your teeth intact.

Now that gum disease is becoming more common, we’ll tackle the early signs you must look out for to keep your positive and healthy smile.

Indicators of Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation and infection of the gums and bones supporting the teeth. It’s called gingivitis in its early stage and periodontitis in its more severe form. This is why it’s advised by professionals to be consistent with dental exams and cleanings to prevent or even treat dental conditions that might interrupt your confidence and impact your overall health. So below are the five significant symptoms of gum disease to help you be proactive in going to the dentist should you experience any of them.

1. Bleeding, swollen, or sore gums

Gums that ache or bleed may be triggered by gum disease. Healthy gums must not bleed when you brush and flush. Without regular tooth brushing and flossing, plaque will accumulate and eventually aggravate the gums, making them sensitive, inflamed, and prone to bleeding.

2. Declining gums

If you’re experiencing gum recession, your gum disease has gotten more severe. Poor oral hygiene can make the gums look inflamed, and your gum line appears lower in some teeth than others. Receding gums can cause the tooth roots to be exposed, putting the teeth at risk of infections, cavities, tooth loss, and severe sensitivity. This is a health concern your dentist must know immediately to prevent more serious dental issues.

If you’re having gum surgery to fix your receding gums and considering dental implants, you should completely recover first. It’s essential to ensure your oral health is in excellent condition before proceeding to have your tooth implant in Albuquerque.

3. Bad breath

Persistent halitosis and an unpleasant taste in the mouth might indicate gum disease. When you overlook tooth brushing or flossing daily, you’re encouraging bacterial growth in the mouth, which causes bad breath. If this continues, the plaque accumulation on the teeth can cause toxins that might lead to gum disease.

Tooth cavities can also contribute to the development of gum disease and turn fresh breath into halitosis. So if you have tooth decay that needs dental fillings to be addressed, call now or book an appointment with a family dentist to repair it.

4. Loose teeth

Teeth that feel wiggly, loose, or weak indicate severe gum disease. Bacterial infections can form small pockets beneath the gum line, causing the gum to separate from the tooth root. When the decay sets in, it can be excruciating and might require tooth extraction. This can be fixed with pocket reduction, a treatment to bring the gum tissue into contact with the tooth root.

Do you have a loose tooth that you want to save? This can be possible with endodontics treatment. The dentist can preserve your loose tooth through root canal therapy.

5. Tooth sensitivity

When drinking cold or hot beverages, do you experience tooth sensitivity and severe pain? This is a sign of tooth exposure and gum recession. Gum recession and pocketing are two significant indications of gum disease and can trigger sensitive teeth. If your teeth seem alright and don’t have any cavities, but the sensitivity worsens, you should see your dentist, as this might be caused by gum disease.